Cardiac imaging: coronary calcium score: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Cardiac imaging: coronary calcium score

Sample item

A non-contrast, ECG-gated cardiac CT is performed on an asymptomatic man at intermediate risk. What does the calcium score primarily assess?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Burden of coronary atherosclerosis

The Agatston score quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and helps stratify cardiovascular risk. A score of zero carries a very low short-term risk. It does not show luminal stenosis directly.

Option by option

  • A. Burden of coronary atherosclerosis (correct)

    Correct. The score reflects calcified coronary plaque burden.

  • B. Myocardial viability

    Viability is assessed by MRI or nuclear techniques.

  • C. Pericardial fluid volume

    Pericardial fluid is assessed by echo.

  • D. Valvular regurgitation volume

    Valve regurgitation is assessed by echo or MRI.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Burden of coronary atherosclerosis. The Agatston score quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and helps stratify cardiovascular risk.

Why is "Myocardial viability" not the answer?

Viability is assessed by MRI or nuclear techniques.

Why is "Pericardial fluid volume" not the answer?

Pericardial fluid is assessed by echo.

Why is "Valvular regurgitation volume" not the answer?

Valve regurgitation is assessed by echo or MRI.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cardiac imaging: coronary calcium score in Radiology. A score of zero carries a very low short-term risk. It does not show luminal stenosis directly.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cardiac imaging: coronary calcium score?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.